This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Money and Valuables (banning of 500 and 1000 Indian rupee notes). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Nepal due to the volatile political and security situation. Pay close attention to your security at all times and monitor the media and other local information sources for information about possible new safety or security risks.

The political situation in Nepal remains fragile. On 28 May and 6 July 2010, small bombs exploded outside the Constituent Assembly Hall in Kathmandu. Strikes and violent demonstrations frequently take place in Kathmandu and throughout the country, and may continue to occur during ongoing negotiations to finalise the new constitution. There is a strong possibility of violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces. You should avoid any protest sites or demonstrations, minimise your movements and exercise a high degree of caution. You should also ensure that you have adequate supplies of water, food, fuel, cash and medications. It is highly likely planned travel arrangements, including to trekking areas, will be disrupted.

Law and order has deteriorated, especially in the Terai region (the southern region that borders India). Foreigners and UN organisations have been targeted by criminals, armed groups and politically affiliated gangs. Violent demonstrations and bandhs continue to occur in the Terai region, resulting in many deaths and injuries. There are frequent incidents of political unrest and serious crime in the region. The security situation can quickly deteriorate without warning.

Recent information suggests that militants may target tourists on the Terai plains, including in Chitwan National Park.

There have been violent incidents, including bomb attacks, at crowded locations and on public transport in Kathmandu, the Terai region and other parts of the country.

On 8 June 2010, a car bomb exploded outside a hospital in Kathmandu, injuring 7 people.

Threats have been made against Christian organisations in Nepal, including schools. A bomb exploded in the Assumption Church in Kathmandu on 23 May 2009.

Demonstrations, strikes and illegal roadblocks are possible throughout the country and often occur without notice. You should avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings as they can turn violent. Recent political rallies in many parts of Nepal have resulted in outbreaks of violence and the detonation of explosive devices.

Enforced national and local strikes (bandhs) can be called without notice and continue for lengthy periods. During these periods most businesses are closed and vehicles are not allowed on the road. There is an increased likelihood of violence at these times.

Lack of transport and blockades on roads and highways during strikes can make travel very difficult and cause major traffic disruptions. Access to the airport during strikes could be restricted or prohibited and travel plans severely disrupted. Curfews can be enforced at short notice.

Blockades of Kathmandu can also occur without notice, making travel outside of Kathmandu Valley extremely difficult. Demonstrations and bandhs are often called in protest against increased fuel costs, public transport costs, and severe fuel and water shortages.

There have been reports of taxi drivers being intimidated and attacked for carrying passengers during local strikes (bandhs) and blockades. Travellers using private vehicles, including foreigners, have also been victims of intimidation and attack.

Crime

Crime such as assault and theft against foreigners, including tourists, is increasing due to the poor law and order situation. Assaults and robberies often occur in the evening in areas that are poorly lit, however, brazen attacks against foreigners have occurred in broad daylight. There have been armed robberies and assaults (including sexual assaults) on tourists. Women, in particular, should not travel alone. Abductions and kidnapping frequently occur, although to date foreigners have not been targeted.

Petty theft is common and is increasing, especially at tourist sites, airports, on buses and in hotel rooms. Pick pocketing and bag snatching are common in Kathmandu, particularly in tourist areas. There are increasing reports of foreigners being injured in the course of these incidents, in particular when bags are pulled from pedestrians by assailants on motorbikes.

Extortionists continue to approach trekkers and climbers demanding 'donations' or 'taxes'. Victims have been assaulted, detained or threatened with violence until they pay. Many cases of extortion have occurred within the Annapurna Conservation Area (site of the well-known Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary trekking routes).

Attempts by criminals to defraud tourists or demands to carry illegal goods should be reported to local police immediately.

There has been an increase in crime in Thamel, the main tourist district of Kathmandu. For further details, see the section Local Laws.

There has been an increase in the availability of illegal drugs and foreigners are often targeted by drug peddlers. See the Local Laws section of this advice for information on penalties for drug offences.

Victims of crime can contact the Tourist Police in Kathmandu by dialling direct 4700750 or the Tourist Police headquarters on 4247041.

Local Travel

You are strongly urged to avoid travelling on public buses and microbuses and congregating at or near bus stops.

Taxi drivers frequently refuse to use meters and charge rates well above the usual meter cost. Refusal to pay the increased price can lead to threats against the customer and even assault. Fuel shortages can at times reduce the availability of local taxis and other forms of transport.

Public transport and taxis are not widely available late in the evening.

Road travel in the Terai region and other parts of the country can be extremely difficult, due to curfews, strikes called at short notice and violent demonstrations.

Landmines and improvised explosive devices remain a danger in many parts of Nepal, including trekking areas. You should seek advice from local authorities before trekking, observe all warning signs and follow clearly identified tracks.

Road travel is dangerous at night, particularly in rural areas. Travel on public buses, which are generally overcrowded and poorly maintained, is dangerous and there are frequent bus accidents with multiple fatalities. Roads are generally poorly maintained, driving standards are variable and adherence to traffic laws is poor. For safety and security reasons, travel after dark should be avoided. In the event of an accident, foreigners may be assumed to be at fault and expected to make financial restitution to all other parties. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

Army and police checks on roads, including in Kathmandu, can delay travel. Demands for money and 'taxes' from extortionists can occur close to police checkpoints.

Telecommunications facilities are limited and can be unreliable. Mobile phone services may be suspended without notice.

Electricity supplies are unreliable and there is frequent load-shedding during the winter months and in the lead up to the monsoon. Shortages of essential supplies (including food, water, fuel, gas and kerosene) can occur with limited notice. Businesses, including hotels and guesthouses, can be affected.

Special regulations apply to mountaineering expeditions and all expedition members are required to have permits. Australians wishing to climb in Nepal should seek information either through reputable trekking companies in Nepal or Australia or from the Nepalese Embassy in Canberra or Consulates-General in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney).

Trekking can be dangerous. If you choose to trek in Nepal, you should only use reputable trekking companies with professional guides. You should not trek alone. Before departing on a trek you should seek an update from the trekking company on the security situation in the area you intend to visit. You should register on the smartraveller website and advise family or friends where you intend to trek. Information about trail conditions and possible hazards in the northern regions can be obtained from the Himalayan Rescue Association (phone (997) 1 4440-292 / 4440-293).

When planning a trek, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance to cover emergency evacuations by helicopter or other means.

The safety standards you might expect of transport and tour operators, including adventure activities such as rafting, are not always met. Sufficient safety equipment may not be provided and recommended maintenance standards and safety precautions may not be observed. Carefully check the operator's credentials beforehand and ensure that your insurance policy covers you for all activities that you undertake.

Generally, only travellers in organised tour groups are issued visas and permits for the Tibetan region of China. Australians considering travel to Tibet should check the travel advisory for China for up-to-date information. Contact your nearest Embassy of the People's Republic of China before travelling to the Tibetan region of China. If you are in Nepal, you should contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Kathmandu.

Airline Safety

In October 2008, a plane crash at Lukla Airport killed 16 people, including two Australians.

Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Nepal is in a highly active earthquake region and earthquakes and earth tremors are common.

Landslides and flooding can occur throughout the year, but are more frequent during the monsoon season (June to September). Avalanches can also occur. Australians travelling and residing in Nepal are encouraged to be prepared for an earthquake by ensuring they have emergency stocks, including water, on hand.

In the event of major natural disasters, there are likely to be severe transport difficulties, damage to essential infrastructure, food shortages and emerging health issues. Australian travellers should avoid unnecessary travel to the affected regions.

Further information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Cirrus keycards are not accepted in Nepal and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) can be unreliable.

The Government of Nepal has banned the import, export and use of 500 and 1000 Indian rupee notes in Nepal. You should ensure you are not carrying these notes on arrival in Nepal as they will be confiscated and you may be fined.

Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or child care facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select child care providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Nepal, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but cannot get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for drug offences are severe in Nepal. Tourists caught in possession of even small quantities could be convicted and imprisoned.

Homosexual acts are illegal and may result in up to one year's imprisonment. Nepal remains for the most part a conservative society and homosexuality is not widely tolerated or accepted. Homosexuals can be discriminated against and can be the targets of blackmail.

Bars and restaurants in Thamel, the main tourist district of Kathmandu, are currently required by law to close at 11.00 pm. This is in response to increased crime in Thamel and an effort by authorities to curb illegal activities. Travellers should take care of their belongings and observe closing times.

It is illegal to take photographs or video images of army barracks, check points and/or army personnel.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are strong local codes of modest dress and behaviour in Nepal and you should take care not to offend.

Information for Dual Nationals

Nepal does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Nepalese dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We strongly recommend that you travel on your Australian passport at all times.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Australian citizens are required to obtain a visa for Nepal. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Nepal for the most up to date information.

You should ensure you have the correct, current visa at all times, otherwise you may be fined, jailed, deported and/or banned from re-entering Nepal. Foreigners do incur fines, detention and/or jail terms for breaching their visas or illegally overstaying their visa. The Australian Embassy cannot arrange visas, or work or residence permits. The Embassy can provide a list of local lawyers if you have breached your visa conditions or overstayed your visa.

If your passport is lost or stolen in Nepal, you will need to obtain a transfer of visa to your new passport before departing the country. The visa transfer can be obtained by presenting a police report, two current passport size photographs and a letter from the Australian Embassy advising of your lost or stolen passport, to the Department of Immigration.

Australian citizens travelling to India from Nepal should note that the Indian Government has announced changes to tourist visa regulations that may affect Australian travellers. Holders of tourist visas departing India may not re-enter India for two months, regardless of their length of stay or validity of their visa, although some flexibility may be possible. Visit the Indian Government Ministry of Home Affairs website or contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of India for the most up-to-date information.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity and carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Health Issues

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Medical facilities in Nepal are very limited, particularly outside of Kathmandu. Treatment at international clinics is expensive and up-front cash payment for services is generally required. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs would be considerable. If you are trekking or mountaineering, you should ensure your travel insurance covers you for helicopter evacuation from mountainous regions.

Malaria is a risk in Nepal's Terai and Hill districts and Chitwan National Park. Other mosquito-borne diseases (including dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis) also occur. We recommend you take prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using an insect repellent.

The mosquito-borne disease Japanese encephalitis is found throughout many regions of North, South and South-East Asia and Papua New Guinea. A Japanese encephalitis vaccine is registered for use and is currently available in Australia. For further details please consult your travel health doctor.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, leptospirosis and rabies) are common, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. HIV/AIDS is also prevalent. You are strongly encouraged to have vaccinations before travelling. It is advisable to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

Trekkers should be well-equipped, physically fit, in good health and aware of the risks of altitude sickness.

Highly contagious eye problems such as conjunctivitis are common after the monsoon season.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including Nepal. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

In Nepal, you can obtain consular assistance from the:

Australian Embassy
Suraj Niwas (500 metres north of Narayan Gopal Chowk)
Bansbari, Kathmandu
Telephone: (+977 1) 437 1678
Facsimile: (+977 1) 437 1533
Website: http://www.nepal.embassy.gov.au/

If you are travelling to Nepal, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we strongly recommend that you register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency- whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.